Russian President Vladimir Putin has phoned pop star Elton John and proposed a meeting, according to the Kremlin. Sir Elton has said he wants to talk to Mr Putin about his “ridiculous” attitude to gay rights. The singer previously fell victim to pranksters who impersonated the Russian leader on the phone. But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian media that ...

At least 310 people taking part in the Hajj pilgrimage have been killed in a stampede near the Islamic holy city of Mecca, officials in Saudi Arabia say. Another 450 people were injured in the incident at Mina, which occurred as two million pilgrims were taking part in the Hajj’s last major rite. They converge on Mina to throw stones ...

Government has implored the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) to impart more publicity, sensitization and awareness campaigns about the services it provides in the Country. Commerce, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Miles Sampa says government envisages that in doing so more entrepreneurs will be able to access product and service certification in the Country. He notes that this in turn ...

Government says there can be no meaningful development without preaching the word of God. In a speech read on her behalf by youth and sport Minister Vincent Mwale at the celebration of Scripture Union’s 50 years of service, Vice President Inonge Wina says government appreciates the role that the Scripture Union has continued to play in turning the tides of ...

The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) says it is becoming very difficult to know who is telling the truth between the government and mining companies over the exact number of job losses expected in the sector. ZCTU Secretary General Cosmas Mukuka says the labour movement however thinks such contradictions or fluctuations in the numbers of jobs expected to be ...

The Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) has come out strongly in condemning the state use of brutal Police force against the UPND in Solwezi and elsewhere. ZCID Executive Director Horrace Chilando has since appealed to those who exercise authority over institutions of state power to stop what he has termed as irresponsible behavior of brutalizing citizens under the pretext ...

Voting in the tightly contested Solwezi West parliamentary by-election has closed characterized by a low vote turn out. While the voter turnout in morning looked promising with queues forming at some polling stations, the situation changed starting midday as most polling stations visited were deserted. Meanwhile, Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) Vice President Martin Mbewe has called on political parties ...

A researcher conducted by the University Of Zambia School of Veterinary Medicine has attributed the increase in epilepsy cases in the country to consumption of pork that contains tapeworm. The Research has also found that humans acquire the adult tapeworm by eating infected undercooked pork meat leading to taeniosis, while pigs acquire the infection by eating hymn graces from an ...

Voting started on a high note in the Solwezi West parliamentary by-election with a good number of people turning up at polling stations to cast their votes. The by-election is being contested by Patriotic Front’s Martin Mbaya, UPND’S Teddy Kasonso and John Njombi of UNIP. QFM’s Albert Mpezeni reports from Solwezi that people had queued up at various polling stations ...

The annual rate of inflation for September, 2015 has increased to 7.7% from 7.3% recorded in August, 2015. Speaking during the September 2015 monthly bulletin release, Central Statistical Office Director, John Kalumbi says the of the total 7.7% annual rate of inflation, food and non alcoholic beverage products accounted for 4.2%, while non food products accounted for 3.5%. He explains ...